Boston Terriers: Born To Be The Massachusetts Mascot

Out of the hundreds of dog breeds recognized by the AKC, the Boston Terrier is one of a small group that originated in the United States. In fact, their history can be traced right back to Beantown in the 1880’s.

Bostons are a cross between the English Bulldog and the English Terrier. The dog that fathered the breed was named Judge, and was owned by Boston’s Robert C. Hooper. Judge is credited as the ancestor of nearly all modern Boston Terriers as we know them today.

Judge was a strong, sturdy dog of about 32 pounds with a blocky head, a dark brindle coat and a white stripe between his eyes. He was bred with a female named Gyp who was described by the Boston Terrier Club of America as being:

“about twenty pounds in weight, had a fine three-quarter tail, and was quite low stationed.  She was of stocky build, showing considerable strength in her make-up.  Her head was good, being short and blocky.”

The descendants of Judge and Gyp went on to sire the first true Boston Terrier pups. The breed were originally known as Round Headed Terriers until the Boston Terrier Club of America was established in 1891 and they officially changed the name for the city in which they were bred.

The dogs that we know today are probably a far cry from these original ancestors. Over time breeders have chosen dogs with short heads, pure white markings, dark soft eyes, and bodies more similar to the Terrier than the Bulldog. They are known to be gentle and affectionate like Bulldogs, but high energy like Terriers.

Bostons make wonderful family pets and exceed at agility competitions. They love tugging games and are known as the “class clowns” of the dog world. Their outgoing personalities and tuxedo markings won them the nickname “American Gentlemen.”

The state of Massachusetts embraced these short-haired cuties as our state dog in 1979 and Boston University chose one as their official mascot back in 1922. BU named the character Rhett after Gone With The Wind because “No one loves Scarlett like Rhett.”

In honor of the little dog that means so much to the state of Massachusetts and the city of Boston, Chowdaheadz created the Sox on Boston Terrier T-Shirt. After all, what’s more Boston than a Boston Terrier? A Boston Terrier wearing a pair of ‘Red Sox’, of course! Get yours here!